Collection: Penedes: Recaredo

Recaredo is the Romanee-Conti of Penedes - Decanter
I'm not sure if there is another sparkling wines producer in the world with such strick standards - Robert Parker

The Lost Art of Sparkling Wine: Recaredo
manual riddling & manual disgorge & ageing with cork

Hailing from Recaredo, these are not mere alternatives to Champagne, but a distinct revelation. Transparent and tranquil, they lean towards savoury umami rather than being fruit-driven. Each artisanal wine is aged to perfection, meticulously riddled and disgorged by hand, and bottled without dosage to preserve its pure, authentic character.

How rare is manual riddling (remuage), even in Champage?
It is estimated that there are fewer than a dozen professional hand-riddlers (remueurs) still working in Champagne! Manual riddling is now a niche practice reserved for the most prestigious cuvées. More than 95% of all Champagne is now riddled using automated machines. Mastering the craft requires about 10 years of experience to learn how to "read the wine" and determine the precise rotation needed. The physically demanding nature of the work and the lack of new trainees have made it a "disappearing art".

How rare is manual disgorge, even in Champage?
The vast majority of Champagne, estimated at well over 95%, is disgorged by automated machines. Manual disgorgement is used for a minuscule percentage of total production, limited to special prestige cuvées. Manual disgorgement requires years of experience to master the precise, swift movement needed to remove the frozen sediment plug without losing too much wine or pressure.

How rare is ageing with cork, even in Champagne?
The standard practice for the secondary fermentation and sur-lie aging is to use a crown cap, similar to a beer bottle cap. Aging under cork, known as tiré liège, is a niche, artisanal technique used by a small handful of producers for their very top wines. Using corks is significantly more expensive and is considered a "risky business" and a "less so" technique undertaken only by the most skilled vignerons.